Chapter 9
I didn’t want to hear Simon‘ s
confessions anymore.
“But Simon, there are no ‘what ifs‘ in this
world.”
Apologies don’t erase scars.
If guilt could atone for sins, then what was the meaning of all the pain and wounds I
endured because of him?
Simon fell silent for a long time, his gaze growing darker and heavier.
I was about to leave when Brian showed up, walking toward us.
“Valerie, Glenda is looking for you. Who are you talking to?”
Simon‘ s expression darkened immediately, his cold eyes locking on
Brian.
“What are you doing here?” He swept his
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eyes over us, and realization dawned on his
face.
“You knew all along that Valerie was planning to leave, didn’t you?”
“Brian, I treated you as a brother!” Simon roared. His fists clenched tightly, as if he might swing at Brian at any moment.
Brian opened his mouth to respond, but I grabbed his arm to stop him.
That small gesture was another blow to Simon. A flicker of despair and pain flashed in his eyes.
I spoke calmly, “This has nothing to do with Brian. Don’t make a scene.”
Simon‘ s temper flared again. “What do you mean, ‘don’t make a scene‘? Valerie, are you seriously defending him
now?”
I remained silent, which only fueled his agitation.
“I know–what happened with Abigail was
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my fault. But we’ve known each other
since childhood. You must still have feelings for me, right?”
“Come back with me. Let’s start over, please.”
I shook my head, rejecting him firmly. “No, we can’t.”
The jealousy in Simon‘ s eyes grew more intense, and his words became reckless.
“If you and Brian can be together, why can’t we get back together?” he asked desperately.
I had no interest in arguing with him
anymore.
“Enough, Simon. Stop looking for me. We’re over.”
Without another glance, I pulled Brian with me and left.
When fate ran its course, there was no point in forcing it.
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Chapter 9
In the days that followed, my life in France flourished. I even landed a new job at a renowned art and design company.
I thought my days would continue to pass peacefully, but I underestimated Simon‘ s persistence.
One seemingly ordinary day, I had just left the studio when someone covered my mouth and nose from behind.
A sharp chemical scent overwhelmed me, and everything went black.
When I woke up, I realized I was back at
the Lewis family‘ s old estate—in the study where Simon and I had spent our childhood.
I lay on a chaise, rubbing my temples to ease the lingering grogginess.
“You’re awake. Want some hot porridge?”
Simon appeared, holding a bowl of
porridge. He blew on the spoon and brought it to my lips.
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A chill ran down my spine as anger bubbled up inside me.
“Are you insane?”
He kidnapped me from France and brought me back to the Lewis family villa.
I had been unconscious the entire time.
I slapped the bowl of porridge from his hands, sending it crashing to the floor. My voice turned icy. “Simon, this is illegal confinement.”
The hot porridge had scalded his hand, blistering his skin, yet he didn’t lash out.
Instead, he calmly called someone to clean up the mess.
He reached out to touch my face, his expression oddly tender as he murmured, “Valerie, I know I was wrong. Let me make it up to you for the rest of my life, okay?”
His hand began to wander over my body.
I struggled to push him away, but he
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Chapter 9
grabbed my wrists, pinning me down.
“Don’t leave me again, please. Valerie, I truly love you.”
“I can’t live without you. Give me one more chance.”
His kisses grew fervent, trailing deeper and deeper, leaving me powerless to resist.
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